Toothbrush



July 21, 1942- A. RIICKENBACHER 2,290,357

TOOTHBRUSH Filed May 20, 1941 LIN f Patented July 21, 1942 ET E D STllt-ES EN .T G E E [CE f TOOTHBRUSH A Adolph Rickenbacher, Los Angeles, Calif.

- ApplicationMayZ, 1941', YSerialV No. 394,299

` 4 Claims.

`This inventionY relatesy to .toothbrushes .and has particular referenceV to 'that class. iof` tooth brushes embodying' replaceable and: adjustable .brush heads. A general yobject'of this invention is to provide a tooth brush of thischaracter embodying simple, inexpensiveyet very :effective means for mounting or securing the .removable brush head.

The tooth brushes 'that have been. introduced embodying replaceable brush headsusuallyhave `complicated clamp means forJretaining. the brush heads. In most brushes of this 4class the clamp means has screw threads that fbecomernsted and clogged with dentifrice and have. metal parts of substantial bulk extending aiconsiderableydistance to the handle. The 'screwthreaded clamp means areV difficult. to operate .especiallyH when held against movement and `yet may bevery easf ily adjusted or remo-ved at will.

Another object of'thisinventon is Ato .provide la tooth brush of the'characterv mentioned in which the brush head'may be easily 'and .quickly `installed, adjusted andreplaced .without operatf' ing threaded parts, slides, latches or likezmechanisms.

Another object of i'this invention is to provide a tooth brush of Ythe character .refer-red to embodying a plain simple 'shankof Vminimum length for carrying the .brush head. Thefshank in the Ybrush of the presentV invention is short and may be formed So that'itf cannot injuresthe teeth, gums or lips.

A further object of'this invention is to provide a tooth `brush ofthe class referred to that is inexpensive to manufacture, embodying a min- Himum number of simple' inexpensive parts.

The various objects and features ofmy inven- Vtion will 'be. fully understood from the'following detailed description of a typical preferred `form and application of'myinventiom throughout which description reference'ismade vto the accompanying drawing, inr which:

Fig. 1 is anf edge or'side elevationlof :the: tooth '1 handle brush provided.. by this invention. 'Fig.f2.: is a rear elevation vof the toothbrush. 3v is `an enlarged transverse detailedsectional View taken as indicated by line 3-'3 on Fig.y 2 with the brush head appearing Yin elevation. `Fig.- 4 is ai' side elevation of' the key'foroperating or releasing the mounting' or retaining vmeansfor the. brush head and Fig. 5 is a plan View 'of the key.

The improved tooth brush ofthe presentinventionV may .be said Vto comprise, generallyaa adjustably andy removably mounting thefbrush head Il onthe handle i0.

.The handle I0 may be of. anyselected fshape, construction and material, it being a feature; of the invention vthat thezhandleneed .not be of special formation Yor. construction. YIn "the case illustrated the' handle '.Ill is a simple elongate member having generally flat .outwardly 'convergent .upper and .lower sidesxand rounded edges.

p The .outerend 'oflthehandle IIJ is rounded while the inner .end offithe handle is .preferably substantially straight. The handle .'IIl. vmay abe formed` of .selected `or available materials such as thermofplasticinmaterial, hard rubber, pyroxylin,

Vbonepor thezflike, or', if desired; may'. be 'formed ofv metal.

' The brush head jI I includes a backing or'body 'I3 ofbone,` pyroxylin, thermo-plasticmaterial,

or the like, and` tufts of .bristles B'set in the body to'lproject` fromits forward' face. I'The brush headv .body `I3 pis usually generally rectangular.

A clip i4 `preferably `of .metal fis `ix'edly engaged on the body 'I3 andextends across its rear face.

Aspin orstud I5 extends outwardly or rearwardly from .the :clip I4. The stud TIB' may be a simple Acylindrical boss or .projection located 'midway between the ends vof thebrush head' body 13.

The. .means I2 for removably and adjustably supporting the brush head I I on the handle VI 0 is an important. feature 'of the invention. 'The 'means I2 includes or comprises a shank 16 -of metal, or other selected material; having the required strength and having substantial resiliency.

The shank .I 6' isformed and proportionedto vnorlrnally resist flexing except under the special lconl ditions to'be vlater described. The'slia'nk I is secured to the handle 'I0 or is formed on the Ill.` to constitute an extension thereof. In the particular case illustrated the inner part of the shank I6 isset and secured in aslot or notch Il formed in' theend of the handle `I iii-and the shank extends orcontinues fromfthe inner .end of the handle. In mostl cases the shank I6 i may be considerablyithinner than the handle l`(Ill and may have forwardly or outwardly converging edges as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. The outer end portion of the shank I6 is formed to receive or support the brush head II. The outer end portion of the shank I6 is of increased width and is. provided with an opening I8. As best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing the enlarged portion of the shank I6 provided with the opening I8 may be generally cylindrical in face elevation and is in the nature of a loop. The opening I8 is provided to receive the stud I5 of the brush head II. In accordance with the invention the opening I8, as formed, is considerably smaller in diameter than the stud I5, although it may be proportioned so that the stud I5 may be forcibly pressed into it. The mouth of the opening I8 may be rounded to facilitate the insertion of the stud I5. As the two sides of the handle III and shank I6 may be the same the opposite ends of the opening I8 may be correspondingly tapered or rounded so that the stud I5 may be readily entered into either end of the opening,

In accordance with the invention the shank I5 is formed so that the opening IS may be enlarged or spread to facilitate the insertion of the stud I5, the adjustment of the brush head I I and the detachment or removal of the brush head. A slot 25 extends longitudinally or rearwardly from the opening I 8. The slot 2) is preferably of substantial length and may extend rearwardly to adjacent the handle I where it may terminate in an enlargement or opening 2I. It is preferred to make the slot 2l) of substantial width but not of such width that the shank would be weakened. It will be apparent how the long slot 20 imparts substantial expansibility to the shank I6 so that the opening I8 is expansible to admit the stud I and to permit ready adjustment and removal of the brush head II. The slot 2i) may be proportioned to receive a small coin, a screw driver or similar implement for the purpose of spreading the shank to enlarge the opening I 8.

It is desirable that the expanding force be applied or exerted between the ends of the shank I6 so that the shank will not be excessively expanded at any one point. Further, it is desirable that a sanitary readily available implement be employed to spread or expand the resilient shank I6. Accordingly, the slot 25 is enlarged or widened substantially midway between its ends, having a widened part 22 and a key 23 is provided to cooperate with this enlarged part of the slot. The enlargement 22 of the slot 25 may be generally rectangular and its opposite sides or walls may be generally flat and parallel. The key 23, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing, may be a length of rod or wire of substantial rigidity provided at one end with a laterally projecting part 24. The stock or material of which the key 23 is formed may be of such diameter that it cannot be introduced into the slot 2i) or the enlargement 22 of the slot. The projecting part 24 of the key 23 is flattened on two opposite sides to have flat faces 25 lying in planes transverse of the longitudinal axis of the key. This flattening of the part 2li reduces its width and provides corners or cam parts ccoperable with the opposing walls of the enlargement 22 in the slot 20.

When it is desired to spread the shank I5 for the purpose of enlarging the opening I8 the key part 24 is introduced into the enlargement 22 of the slot 26 and the key is turned so that the corners and curved faces occurring between the flat surfaces 25 cooperate with the walls of the slot enlargement to spread the shank I6. The key 23 and the key part 24 are formed so that the key is operable when inserted in one manner only, that is, with the flat faces 25 opposing the side walls of the slot enlargement 22 and with the body or handle of the key 23 extending at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shank I6 and brush handle I6. This insures the correct and intended use of the key. When the part 24 is introduced into the slot enlargement 22 and the key 23 is operated or swung the shank I6 is spread or enlarged so that the stud I5 may be readily passed into the opening I8, turned in the opening I8 or removed as the case may be. The resiliency of the shank I 6 and the formation of the key 23 are such that the key will remain in an active position where it holds the shank I6 spread. The frictional engagement of the part 24 in the slot enlargement 22 holds the key 23 in an active position where the shank is expanded. Thus the key may be operated and temporarily left in the position where it holds the shank I6 spread so that the brush head II may be readily inserted, adjusted or removed without the necessity of retaining a hold on the key 23. Following use the key 23 is turned back to the position where it is substantially normal to the shank I6 and handle I6 and its part 24 is withdrawn from the slot enlargement 22. This permits the shank I6 to return to its initial or normal shape. In this connection it is to be understood that the shank I6 has sufficient resiliency to return to its initial proportions and configuration to tightly grip the brush head stud I5 even after extended use.

It is believed that the utility of the improved tooth brush of this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. In use when it is desired to install a brush head II the stud I5 of the brush head may be forcibly pressed into the opening I8. The preferred procedure, however, is to introduce the part 24 of the key 23 into the slot enlargement 22 and then turn the key to spread the shank I6, whereupon the stud I5 may be freely entered in the opening I8. The operation of expanding the shank I6 may be eiTetced with one hand, by grasping the handle I9 and pressing on the key 23 with the thumb or with a selected nger of the hand. Withdrawal of the key 23 allows the shank I6 to return to its initial shape and the stud I5 is tightly held in the opening I8. In installing the brush head I I it may be set at any selected angle with respect to the handle I0. At any time during the use of the brush head I I the brush head may be reset or adjusted by merely expanding the shank I6 and turning the brush head.

When it is desired to replace the brush head II the part 24 of the key 23 is introduced in the slot enlargement 22 and the key is operated to expand or spread the shank I6. This frees the stud I5 and the worn brush head II may be readily withdrawn. The stud I5 of the new or replacement head II is inserted in the opening I8 and the brush head is set at the selected angle. The key 23 is then swung back to free the part 24 and the part is withdrawn from the slot enlargement 22. This allows the shank I6 to return to its normal shape so that the shank I6 is tightly retained in the opening I8.

It is to be observed that the tooth brush of the present invention is extremely simple in construction and is entirely devoid of threaded parts, slides, latches, or the like, that may become rusted or clogged with dentifrice or that may be dicult to operate. The shank IB is a simple one-piece part that may be shaped and proportioned so that it cannot injure the teeth or mouth. The shank I6 and otherI parts are readily cleaned and do not embody crevices or parts which harbor dentifrice and the like.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Tooth brush handle means for a brush head having a mounting stud comprising a handle shank having an opening in its outer end initially too small to receive the stud except when inserted with substantial force and having a slot extending rearwardly from the opening, the slot having a widened ilat walled part between its ends, and a key unable, because of its size, to enter the slot but readily engageable in the widened part of the slot and adapted when so engaged to be turned to act as a lever to spread the shank and thus enlarge the opening for the easy insertion and removal of the stud.

2. Tooth brush handle means for a brush head having a mounting stud of cylindrical cross section comprising a handle shank provided at its outer end with an opening which is round in cross section and having a slot leading rearwardly from the opening, the opening being initially too small to readily receive the stud, the slot having a widened non-circular part between its ends, and a key having a handle and an active part extending from the handle, the active part being too large for entrance into the slot but being engageable in the widened part of the slot and when so engaged being operable as a lever to spread the shank and enlarge the opening for the ready insertion of the stud and for the easy removal of the stud from the opening, the stud being turnable in the opening when engaged therein so that the head may be adjusted relative to the tooth brush handle means.

3. Tooth brush handle means for a brush head having a mounting stud of cylindrical cross section comprisingaghandle shank provided at its outer end with an opening of cylindrical cross section and having a slot leading rearwardly from the opening, the opening being initially too small to readily receive the stud, the slot having a widened iiat walled part between its ends, and a key having a handle and an active part extending from the handle, the active part being too large for entrance into the slot but being engageable in the widened part of the slot and when so engaged being operable to spread the shank and enlarge the opening for the ready inserti-on of the stud and for the easy removal of the stud from the opening, said part of the key having two opposite flat faces cooperable with the opposite walls of the enlarged part of the slot to expand the shank when the handle of the key is swung, the stud being turnable in the opening when engaged therein so that the head may be adjusted relative to the tooth brush handle means.

4. Tooth brush handle means for a brush head having a mounting stud comprising a handle body, a shank of resilient material xed to the inner end of the handle to extend therefrom, the shank having an opening in its end portion and a slot leading from the opening toward the handle and having a widened part between its ends of non-circular cross section, the opening being intended to receive the stud but initially being too small to receive the same without the use of substantial force, and an elongate key provided at one end with a lateral active part too large to enter the slot but engageable in the widened part of the slot and non-circular in cross section whereby it may be turned when in said widened part to expand the opening for the ready reception of the stud into the opening.

ADOLPH RICKENBACHER. 

